Acne.org Products
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
56%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Oral Antibiotic
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Antibiotics should be used for a maximum of 3 months, provide only moderate benefit and only to some people, and may lead to side effects and strains of resistant bacteria. Studies do show doxycycline can reduce severe acne in the short term, and as far as oral antibiotics are concerned, it’s usually the go-to, but approach with caution and stay your own advocate.
Oral Antibiotic
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Doxycycline? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 21, 2011
Cons:
- Did not treat cysts below the skin
- Did not clear up all body acne
- Improvement reversed after ~3-4 months
- Gastrointestinal side effects (noticeably decreased appetite, indigestion, gas)
I was prescribed 75mg to be taken twice daily for my cystic body acne, and it helped somewhat, but I wanted 100% improvement. So, two months into treatment, I chose to increase my dosage to 100mg to be taken twice daily. It never cleared me up completely, and the results faded toward the end of my third month on the drug. For me, it didn't change the dryness/oiliness of skin it did for others. Worst of all, the side effects became unbearable: my stomach would gurgle and growl throughout the entire day, I'd get gas every hour (and I NEVER got gas before), and for goodness's sake, I wanted to eat! I'm not exaggerating; taking doxycycline felt like being on the lap-band! I couldn't even finish my morning bowl of cereal. For whatever it's worth, my brother went on a 4-month course of doxycycline and never had a pimple or blackhead ever again, but it didn't work so well for me. Also, I tried this after I first tried minocycline (the next generation of tetracycline antibiotics) and had an allergic reaction-induced fever.
February 16, 2011
Pros:
Stopped Scalp Pimples
Cons:
Increased need to pee .
Have ppl on Doxy noticed an increased need to pee ? I have and am wondering if its related to the Doxy . Can ppl tell me their experiences plz .
December 6, 2009
Pros:
+ Cleared the majority of my severely clogged pores after a month
Cons:
+ Made my skin even more sensitive to the sun (and it already was extremely sensitive beforehand)
Haven't felt sick like others have stated but have become really sensitive to the sun so I have to constantly apply sunlotion, however I was clearly warned about this... It works pretty well though and hopefully within another month my skin will clear up entirely if not then I'l try something else.
November 29, 2009
Pros:
doesn't make skin worse
Cons:
but it doesn't do anything to clear it up either
my dermatologist put me on this for a year and nothing happened. my skin stayed exactly the same as it always had been, which was bad, because i have terrible acne and redness. it's not worth it.
August 6, 2009
Pros:
Cheap and has helped kinda on my cheeks
Cons:
i still have bad acne all an redness scar looking things on my chin an for head is little pimples
I been taking it for like 2 weeks hoping to see more improvment is worked kinda but i heard it takes up to 3 months to cure im tired of having acne all my friends have pretty clear skin an i see me an im like (Ewww) I mean my face is not horrible but still u can see it all an makeup makes it look worst...
June 17, 2009
Pros:
Cheap, readily available. Helps with cystic acne.
Cons:
Doesn't really help *regular* acne. Hurts my stomach.
I am wondering if this is really helping me. I've been on it for over a year now, with no real results EXCEPT that I haven't had a cystic breakout in about 9 months.
June 15, 2009
Pros:
Has improved my acne dramatically.
Cons:
Still have minimal, minor zits
I still have minor spots but am much clearer, and has stopped the giant painful zits from appearing totally. I have just been prescribed Retin A to use also. Hopefully this stuff works well too.
May 25, 2009
Pros:
Acne went down 80%!
Cons:
Upset stomach if you don't have with enough water or a little food.
This is pretty much a guaranteed help, if you stay on it and don't eat it with food. I stopped eating it with food when it wasn't working and about two weeks after my acne started to go away. I have way less acne now, but that last few spots still won't go away.
May 13, 2009
Pros:
None.
Cons:
Side effects included severe stomach pains, crazy mood swings and absolutely no improvement in skin.
I was on it for 3 months and I did not see ANY improvement whatsoever. With all the side effects I had to endure, I was more than pissed off that the meds didn't do anything for me.
April 27, 2009
Pros:
-
Cons:
This made my acne 10x worse than what it was. I have major stomach pains, Rashes, headaches and also have the runs.
Do not buy this :(
I feel horrible and i have to go to school tomorrow with a acne infested face. =/
Pros:
+ Reduced redness of facial, body acne
+ Cleared up a good portion of nodular shoulder, back acne (~80%)
+ Showed decent improvement fairly fast (~1-2 months)